The Knights Himura

#51: The Third Degree

Tsuki dragged herself into the police station against Fumiko's wishes. The others were out celebrating their victory, but something was bothering Tsukiko.

The chief welcomed her in with little issue. It was the first time she'd entered through the front doors.

Her body was still burning. It didn't hurt as much as she thought it would, but she still felt tired. Her limbs stung, as they struggled to keep her standing.

"Has he said anything yet?" Tsukiko asked.

"No."

"What?" Tsuki narrowed her eyes. "Why not?"

"He's not interested in talking to us." The Chief looked down and sighed. "He says he's only going to talk to... Himura Tsukiko."

"Then let me talk to him."

"No way!" The Chief shook his head.

"Why not?"

"You're barely able to walk, let alone interrogate." The Chief hissed. "Not to mention the legality of it."

"When has the law ever stopped you before?" Tsukiko replied.

"Tsukiko, this is different. There are courts and--"

"Yeah, and you completely avoided them time and time again!" Tsuki raised her voice. "Are you planning on setting this one free too?"

The Chief spoke quietly. "This kind of work is a lot more complicated than you think it is."

"Just give me ten fucking minutes."

"I can't just give you everything you want." The Chief scolded her. "Besides, what could he even tell you that's worth hearing? It's done, Miss Himura."

"You're not the least bit curious?"

"Motive doesn't matter." The Chief shook his head. "What matters to me is what he did and what he gets in court."

"I can't just... forget!" Tsuki looked him in the eye. "I need to know why he did it. I need to know what this was all about."

"It's just a gang war, Tsuki." The Chief sighed.

"Haruka and Fumi both got stabbed. Lily got lit on fire!" Tsukiko shouted. "How the hell are you gonna motive doesn't matter?"

"He's gonna get what he deserves, Tsuki." The Chief sighed. "Nothing else matters now."

"Then why was I so important?" Tsuki countered. "Why did he need to fight me? This was between me and him, not him and Sylvie."

The Chief sighed. "Miss Himura. I've been an officer for longer than you've been alive. Trust me. If he had something worth saying, you've already heard it."

"Please." Tsukiko pleaded. "I need answers. Just this one thing, alright?"

"...you really want it that bad?"

"Yeah." Tsuki didn't look at him.

The Chief paused to think about it. His eyes closed as he gave his final answer.

"...you're the boss."

The Chief turned around. He started walking through the station slowly and Tsukiko did her best to follow.

Tsukiko was tired. Pain radiated throughout her entire body. She walked behind him with a limp, holding her right arm.

Every few steps, the Chief would turn back to make sure she hadn't collapsed. The other officers in the station watched in awe and remorse. None of them dared approach.